User:Beamzfan5

The beamz™ is a laser based music system created by professional musician and songwriter Jerry Riopelle and released nationwide April 2008 by beamz Interactive. The beamz is a “W” shaped table-top device with six red laser beams. The system connects to a computer via USB and allows users to select a play list from musical compositions.

HistoryInventor Jerry Riopelle says the beamz was inspired by the light-activated door announcer at a local ice cream shop he visited as a child. He and his friends were fascinated by their ability to create a sound by interacting with light. Decades later, with the use of modern Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI), Riopelle began working on creating the product in 2001. Riopelle built the original prototype with PVC pipe and lasers that he bought at a local electronics store. As the product was refined, he found partners to help him develop software and patent it. Today, the brain of the beamz music system is the proprietary, algorithmicsoftware that is loaded onto the user’s personal computer.

Because the player’s interaction with the lasers occurs randomly, the device does not know which beam will be activated, so players create unique musical performances. The software is designed to ensure that the music will always be harmonious.

Jerry Riopelle says the beamz is designed with the intention to meet the needs of the novice as well as the experienced musician. The idea is that new players can plug in, play immediately, and musicians can explore a new form of interactive music.

Components and SpecificationsInterface: The main beamz unit measures approximately 45 centimeters (18 inches) tall by 64 centimeters (25.5 inches) wide, and weighs approximately 6 pounds (2.72 kg). The six lasers are distributed evenly with three on each side of the “W” shaped device. The volume can be adjusted from the base of the table-top unit. Two beamz units may be hooked-up to one computer to create a duet.